“In Louisville, at the corner of Fourth and Walnut, in the center of the shopping district, I was suddenly overwhelmed with the realization that I loved all those people, that they were mine and I theirs, that we could not be alien to one another even though we were total strangers. It was like waking from a dream of separateness, of spurious self-isolation in a special world, the world of renunciation and supposed holiness… This sense of liberation from an illusory difference was such a relief and such a joy to me that I almost laughed out loud… I have the immense joy of being man, a member of a race in which God Himself became incarnate. As if the sorrows and the stupidities of the human condition could overwhelm me, now I realize what we all are. And if only everybody could realize this! But it cannot be explained. There is no way of telling people that they are all walking around shining like the sun.

Then it was as if I suddenly saw the secret beauty of their hearts, the depths of their hearts where neither sin nor desire nor self-knowledge can reach, the core of their reality, the person that each one is in God’s eyes. If only they could all see themselves as they really are. If only we could see each other that way all the time.”

Question: What is this saying to you? How might we see each other as the persons we are in God’s eyes?

Chinese New Year celebration lunch

Please be reminded that the above will be held at Lougheed Wonton Restaurant at 2408 St John’s Street, on Sunday, 24th February at 12pm sharp.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

Before we enter the season of Lent, we will be observing Shrovetide together, celebrating with a simple but festive meal of pancakes in the church hall on Tuesday, March 5th, 6pm.

Sign-up sheets will be posted in the hall to help with catering, as well as for help in setting up, flipping pancakes and cleaning up.

There will be two opportunities to observe Ash Wednesday (March 6th) here at St. John’s: a morning service at 9:30am and an evening service at 7pm. Join us as we begin the season of Lent together as a community, and gather for prayer, Eucharist, and the imposition of ashes.

New Members for the Altar Guild

St John’s Altar Guild are looking for some new members. We work in groups on a 4 week rotating schedule usually on a Saturday morning, arranging flowers, cleaning brass, setting up for the Eucharist and laundering linens. Please speak to a member of the Altar Guild if you are interested in joining us.

A.C.W. News

The A.C.W. ladies are organizing a ‘Spring Cleaning’ of the church, rescheduled to Monday, March 4th, 9:30am. If anyone feels inclined to shake up a little dust or sweep clean with a new broom, you would be more than welcome to join us.

Food Bank Bread Help Needed

Help is needed! We are in need of more people to help to collect the bread for the Food Bank from Cobs Bakery on alternate Tuesday evenings at 8 pm and deliver it to the church. This takes approximately ½ to ¾ of an hour to complete depending on how much bread is to be collected. Ability to lift the bins, which are a moderate weight, is required. If you are interested in helping out, please talk to Teri Hazelton or Ann Adair-Austin.

World Day of Prayer

The World Day of Prayer is to be held on Friday, March 1st, at All Saints Catholic Church, 821 Fairfax St., Coquitlam, at 1 pm. Slovenia is this year’s featured country.

First Nations 101 Event

An opportunity to meet the author, Lynda Gray, of the book First Nations 101 that was the book study of last year.

From the Port Moody Library Facebook page…

“Gain insight into the diverse and complex lives of First Nations people with this talk from author Lynda Gray. Lynda Gray, member of the Ts’msyen Nation (Gisbutwada/Killerwhale Clan), will present from her book First Nations 101: tons of stuff you need to know about First Nations people. You’ll learn about language to treaties to Two-spirit (LGBTQ). Thursday, February 28, 7:00-8:00pm in the Inlet Theatre. Registration required. Phone (604) 469-4575”

Cold Wet Weather Mat Program volunteers and donations needed

The Cold Wet Weather Mat Program (CWWMP) is being held again in the Tri-Cities. Even with people being housed at 3030 Gordon there is a need for extra shelter at this time of year.

The people of St. John’s have been helping in many ways since the beginning of this program in 2010. The Hope for Freedom Society continues to provide this unique CWWMP (it is the only one of this sort running in North America) with the help of the area faith communities. The uniqueness of this program is that the guests are able to get a good quiet night’s sleep, which is unusual at other shelter programs with people coming and going all night. Another unique quality is that people are fed dinner and breakfast on site and provided with a bag lunch to nourish them throughout the day. The evening meal is served restaurant style, rather than the guests standing in a line up to receive food and they report that they feel loved, respected and welcomed.

Homelessness is on the increase as our BC economy makes it more difficult for those living on the edges of employment. It is now estimated that 80% of working age people have seen a decline in their living standards. With this also is an increase in addictions and the cycle that goes along with that.

St. John’s is a caring community and can continue to offer support to this program when it is being held at St. Laurence Anglican, Coquitlam, in the month of March. If you are unable to help on a morning or evening shift you can be part of collecting food for the lunches provided.

There is always a need for juice boxes, soft granola bars or simple bag lunch snacks that are easily chewed. These can be dropped off on Sundays at St. John’s or taken directly to St. Laurence during the week from 10-2.

A sign-up sheet for making sandwiches is posted on the bulletin board by the door in the hall.

Contact Mary Lou Kyle or Anne Anchor if you would like more info or would like to work a shift in March.

Anglican Journal and TOPIC subscriptions

Following the receipt of the June (Summer) issues of the Anglican Journal and TOPIC, members of parishes will no longer be automatically subscribed to these national and diocesan publications. In order to continue to receive print copies, folks will need to confirm their subscription. Subscribing is very simple and there are four easy to follow options outlined at https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/news/confirm-your-anglican-journal-and-topic-subscription. The print copies of the two periodicals will also include detailed information on how readers can confirm their subscriptions.

General Synod Volunteers

The Diocese of New Westminster is very excited to host the 42nd General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada July 9 to 16, 2019, at the Sheraton Wall Centre in Vancouver, and are looking for people to join the General Synod volunteer team.

They are seeking people who are:

outgoing and friendly,

have experience in welcoming or greeting at church, or in other frequent capacities,

and are interested in witnessing the wider Church in action.

Volunteers will be assigned in shifts to participate in areas such as meeting participants at the airport, on-site registration, providing local information and directions, etc.

You are invited to take part in VITA, a diocesan spiritual formation retreat, rooted in Anglican spirituality, where the Holy Spirit can move to personally transform participants to more actively engage in Christian prayer life and mission.

The next VITA retreat will be held from Friday, Mar. 22 – Sunday, Mar. 24 at Loon Lake Retreat Centre in Maple Ridge. This two-night retreat is open to 25 people who desire spiritual growth and who want to explore their prayer lives. The $175 registration fee (bursaries available) includes accommodation, all meals/snacks, and materials. The facilities are modern cabins that include a common lounge, private showers and rooms with two beds; two people per room.

Retreat goals are:

To support participants as they broaden and deepen their experience of prayer in their everyday lives and activities.

To inspire the energy, creativity and commitment of the next generation of Anglicans as they engage the communities where God has placed them.

Protein-rich foods are often the most expensive items for families to purchase when grocery shopping. People on limited budgets often cannot afford them, and make do with stodgy foods to fill stomachs. Please help those who need them by donating the following to St. John’s Food Bank in February/March:

tinned salmon, tuna, chicken, beef (not all can eat pork products)

shelf stable nut butters

dried or tinned beans and peas

powdered or shelf-stable milks

meaty stews or soups

cans of vegetables

Bring your offerings on Sunday, arrange with the office to drop off during the week, or give some money to this ministry towards the purchase of fresh products.

Prayer Cycle

The Anglican Church, the Diocese of New Westminster, Archbishop Melissa Skelton;